Ray and I keep the co0nversation rolling, talking festivals and their importance.
ALS: Speaking of influential poets, how does being part of a festival such as QLD Poetry Festival, affect you as a poet?
RL: I have been involved in several festivals over the years such as the Melbourne Writers Festival, Tasmanian Poetry Festival and Overload Poetry Festival. I see them as a wonderful opportunity to meet and see poets who you have read and not read, and heard of and not heard of. I’m not sure how it affects me as a poet. You sometimes hear of major writers whineing that their agents make them attend festivals. However, for us lesser known writers it’s a chance to be part of the Commissariat of Poetry.
ALS: Are there any poets on the program that you are particularly excited to see?
RL: There are some familiar names on the program and a lot I’m not familiar with so, as I say above, it’s a great chance to rub shoulders with the known and the unknown.
i wish we had more such festivals over here where i live… great opportunity for both i think..well-known and unknown writers..
It really is the most amazing festival Claudia… you should put in an application next year!